WOMEN'S PART

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 48, 4 May 1942, Page 5

WOMEN'S PART

NEED FOR V.A.D.'S

LECTURE BY MISS E. P. TENNENT

At the Whakatane branch of the St. John Nursing Division meeting held in the [Methodist Hall, an address was given by M.i.ss E. P. Tennent, commander-in-chief of the Red Cross voluntary aids in New Zealand. Miss Tennent in her address stressed the need for large numbers of women being trained as V.A.D.'s throughout New Zealand, so many trained nurses being away from New Zealand with the forces, and the hospitals in New Zealand were Avorking at the fullest capacity. Any extra calls must fall on non-active or retired nurses and voluntary aids. Almost a'l big wars had been followed by some epidemic, she said. During the 1911-18 war New Zealand's total killed was 1(5,000 and in the epidemic that followed the Great War 17,000 died in four months. All medical and nurses were overworked and no organisation or numbers of trained Avorkers were available to assist. A fully trained V.A.D had toi have at least one certificate for Home Nursing, First Aid and Sanitation and Hygiene and 60 hours hospital training. To-day the calls for service were many. In the present war just over 200 V.A.D.'s have been sent overseas, having been trained by the Bed Cross and St. John. V.A.D.'s are assisting at the hospitals at Air Force Stations throughout New Zealand. At the new Soldiers Convalescent Hospital at Rotorua others Svere on duty and more will be engaged shortly, these are selected from the North Island down to Palmerston North. Service at Rotorua being for six months the reason for this being to spread this opportunity to as many as possible. From Wellington and the Wairarapa V.A.D.'s stall the Clearing Hospital at Wellington when a Hospital Ship arrives, this work being entirely voluntary. In the South Island V.A.D.'s are serving at the Queen Mary Hospital at Hamner. Hospitals are alsoi being established at mobilisation camps to deal with mild epidemics of heavy colds etc. and V.A.D.'s are assisting to stall' these. In addition in case of an enemy landing or an epidemic V.A.D.'s would be required for the Emergency Hospitals in own district, and in such an emergency it is the duty of all trained V.A.D.'s to give services in hospital and the hospital service. Registered nurses have been listed for E m e r g en c y work, this is part of National Service and available in any disaster.. V.A.D. Avork said Miss Tennent was of national importance and as many young women as possible should be interested, and not leave it to the older women who have other responsibilities to take up this work. Men have had to feave good jobs and make very great sacrifices to go overseas, and Women must be prepared to do their part. Many young women think that because they are taking a man's place, that is the full extent of their Avar work, but said Miss Tennent, they are being paid for it., Real sacrifice is giving up oil duty time to train and prepare onesself. Women must be prepared to do their part and not let their brothers and friends down. Details as to equipment necessary, especially a proper room and equipment for teaching Home Nursing were given. Funds are permitted to be raised for this purpose. Also the personnel and numbers for a detachment. Particulars of the uniform were also given. The V.A.D. training is verj* valuable for use in own homes. It is a well Avorth Avhilc training To some nursing does not appeal, but for them there is other work of importance, and they can train for domestic attachment. It consists of domestic and efficient cooks. Diets, recipes, quantities and sciwing of food is studies, and 10 hours practical experience in the Hospital Kitchen and Laundry. The Red Cross and St. John are asking people to come forward and take tins course. ?drs Sullivan in moA'ing a A T otc of thanks lo Miss Tennent for her address. which Avas carried by acclamation. said that no notification of Miss Tennent's visit had been received by the local society. Had notice been received a joint meeting of all members of the local Red Cross Society and four sub-centre« could have been arranged.